I Will Love You Forever

I Will Love You Forever

with Marianne Hering

Cori Salchert

Cori has suffered from extreme medical issues most of her life. At some points they kept her confined to bed. Her husband and eight children were there for her and helped keep the house afloat while she was trying to find answers. When Cori loses her job at the hospital as a counselor for parents losing their children to death, she's devastated. But what she didn't know was that it would open the door for her to care for an infant on hospice. Caring for this tiny baby knowing that she would soon be gone, changed their entire lives.

This book was not a thing like I was expecting. It was more of a memoir about the author, than about hospice babies. There is really only one child that was considered a hospice baby. It dealt with the author's health issues, those of one of her children, and the adoption of a special needs child. It also talked about her childhood and the death of her sister. So very little was actually about the one hospice baby she took in. But despite the misleading title and my general dislike of memoirs, I actually enjoyed the book and my heart was warmed reading about the hospice infant and how her own children reacted. If you enjoy memoirs or true stories, you'll really enjoy this inspirational book.

I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Hello Mornings

Hello Mornings

How to Build a Grace-Filled, Life-Giving Morning Routine

Kat Lee

Are mornings difficult? Does it seem that the morning starts of okay and then your schedule goes awry? Or is getting into a routine in the first place seem daunting? The author, now well known for her podcasts and founder of HelloMornings.org, took the information she's been sharing and put it together in a book for those looking to invigorate and change their mornings. The book has a Christian theme and gives the simple steps that the author found to work so well for her.

I am definitely one in need of help in the mornings. The book started out strong and was super inspiring. I talked about it with several of my friends while reading. The steps were easy to understand and implement. The author put personal experiences with scientific studies to prove her point. But despite the informative style of writing, it was interesting and I enjoyed reading it. The only negative was the last few chapters. I felt that they were necessary, but for some reason they were very dry and hard to get through. Turned this book into a 4.5, instead of a 5. But overall, I would still recommend it to my friends and family.

I received a copy of this book from BookLook Blogger. All thoughts expressed are my own.

How to Window Box

How to Window Box

Chantal Aida Gordon and Ryan Benoit

Window boxes are common in areas where space is limited and can be used to grow plants indoors or out. This book delves into the process of setting up a good soil environment for growing all types of plants in a grow box setting. There are approximately sixteen sections that deal with different types of plants, soil conditions, fertilizers, and show various styles and types of grow boxes. The unusual rectangle shape of the book, the glossy pages with beautiful photography, and in depth details will have plant lovers falling in love with window boxes. 

I loved reading through the book and think it would make an excellent gift or addition to a garden lovers library. The book has a high quality feel and taught me several things that I wasn't aware of in regards to window boxes. The photography alone sells the book. I really liked the step-by-step instructions on how to set up the box. 

I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Follow Your Bliss

Follow Your Bliss Guided Journal

This particular journal features the art of Hello Angel. The theme is bliss. The pages are wide rule lined style and the paper is thick and acid-free. Almost every other page has a bright picture with rich, deep colors. There are flowers, animals and scenes, and mandala shapes. Each page has a hint of color corresponding to the pictures around it. The hard back cover makes it excellent for holding while journaling or drawing.

I fell in love with the beautiful pictures and tinted pages. Each lined page has plenty of room to journal or write down lists and thoughts. The thick pages didn't bleed through when I used a heavy marker or gel pen. This would make an excellent gift, but I'm going to have a hard time parting with it. These books can be found at all of the retail sites I checked. Overall, I would say this is an excellent journal and can't wait to use it more.

I received a copy of this book from Fox Chapel Publishing. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Falling For You

Falling For You

A Bradford Sisters Romance #2

Becky Wade

Willow is taking a short break from her modeling career to run her parent's bed and breakfast until the new manager can start work. She's burned out and she's hoping that the sabbatical will give her a fresh start. She doesn't expect to run into a former boy-friend, Corbin who not only broke her heart, but reminds her of all of her past mistakes. She also doesn't expect to be forced to work with him while trying to solve a mystery from decades ago. 

I loved every aspect of this book. The characters were warm and inviting. The connection that the sisters have is special and heartwarming. The author did an excellent job of portraying the characters as flawed, but likable and inspiring. Their relationship with God was prominent and yet didn't come across as preachy and pushy. Several of the secondary characters were favorites as well. And the author did a great job of setting the scene for the next sister's story. This author never fails to write a story that has heart, forgiveness, family, and sweet romance. This story also has a side story with some suspense and drama that I didn't see coming, but really enjoy. Overall, another amazing book and I can't wait to read her next one.

I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Journal

Hello Angel Lined Journal

This particular journal features the art of Hello Angel. The theme is wintry cold. The pages are wide rule lined style and the paper is thick and acid-free. Almost every other page has a bright picture with rich, deep colors. There are flowers, winter animals and scenes, and mandala shapes. Each page has a hint of color corresponding to the pictures around it. The hard back cover makes it excellent for holding while journaling or drawing.

I fell in love with the beautiful pictures and tinted pages. Each lined page has plenty of room to journal or write down lists and thoughts. The thick pages didn't bleed through when I used a heavy marker or gel pen. The drawings also inspired me to do a little doodling of my own. This would make an excellent gift, but I'm going to have a hard time parting with it. These books can be found at all of the retail sites I checked. Overall, I would say this is an excellent journal and can't wait to use it more.

I received a copy of this book from Fox Chapel Publishing. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Fox Chapel Publishing

Big Foot Visits the Big Cities of the World

Big Foot Visits the Big Cities of the World

A Seek and Find Activity Book

D. L. Miller

Big Foot is a shy and elusive creature that hides very well. So when he goes on vacation, it's very difficult to find him sometimes. Join Big Foot as he travels around the world. The book begins with some information about Big Foot - who he is, where he comes from, and some of his other names. The following pages are partially color and partially black and white drawings with various items, including Big Foot, for the viewer to locate. Before each puzzle is two pages of information about the city in the hide and seek. At the back of the book is the answer key, should the viewer become stumped.

My kids loved this book. And I really loved it too. There are 10 hide and seek puzzles and pages and pages of fun facts and information about the cities that Big Foot visits on his travels. The pages are colorful and the large size of the hardcover book make it easy for smaller children to hold and pour over. We all had fun talking about the cities that Big Foot was at and what it might be like to visit ourselves. This book would be excellent for a school library or used as an additional resource for curriculums. 

I received a copy of this book from Fox Chapel Publishing. All thoughts expressed are my own.

A Chance At Forever

A Chance At Forever

Teaville Moral Society #3

Melissa Jagears

Mercy grew up in Teaville and suffered a lot of bullying because of her missing hand. But the worst bully of all was a boy named George. Mercy is now an adult and serving on the local school board when a teacher, named Aaron, applies for a position. She recognizes him as her childhood bully. Aaron claims to have changed, but Mercy is going to have to see evidence to believe him. When Aaron takes a summer job with her employer she's given the opportunity to observe him up close and isn't conflicted on what she sees.

This was my favorite by this author. I've enjoyed all of her books, but for some reason this one really spoke to me. The author did a great job of creating the tension and drama that the characters needed to develop. The two main characters, while flawed, were relate-able and engaging. And I fell in love with a couple of the orphans that were part of the story. There were a couple of sensitive topics that the author handled really well and the beauty of forgiveness and the ability to change by God's grace was so sweet and inspiring. The relationship between the several of characters was wholesome and romantic. Really enjoyed this story and can't wait to read the author's next book.

I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Big Foot Goes on Vacation

Big Foot Goes on Vacation:

A Seek and Find Activity Book

D. L. Miller

Big Foot is a shy and elusive creature that hides very well. So when he goes on vacation, it's very difficult to find him sometimes. Join Big Foot as he travels around the world. The book begins with some information about Big Foot - who he is, where he comes from, and some of his other names. Then since Big Foot has decided to take a cruise, there is some information and history about cruises. The following pages are partially color and partially black and white drawings with various items, including Big Foot, for the viewer to locate. Sprinkled throughout the book are information pages about some of the places that Big Foot visits. At the back of the book is the answer key, should the viewer become stumped.

This was a fun and informative book. My children really enjoyed it and I enjoyed reading the information pages and opening up a discussion with them. We will be passing the book along to their school library when we finish with it. This would make an excellent gift or book to take on a road trip. It would also make an excellent addition to any home or school library. Be sure to check out the other Big Foot books in the series.

I received a copy of this book Fox Chapel Publishing. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Loved

Loved

This is a journal for a woman of faith who wants space to record her thoughts, write down prayer requests, or use for journaling. Each page is thick and lined. The pages are also filled with quotes from Christian people and scripture that could be used as prompts for writing. The cover is a hard cover with a soft, velvety leather covering it. The book ends with references pages about the people quoted in the book and finishes with a small thought from the creators of the book.

I loved the cover of this book. It would make an excellent gift. The pages are thick enough that I didn't have any issues with bleeding through or ghosting. It is a wide rule and I would have preferred a more college rule style, but I loved the thoughts scattered throughout the book.

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Guided Journal

This particular journal features the art of Ben Kwok. The theme is animals, specifically insects, birds, and reptiles. The pages are wide rule lined style and the paper is thick and acid-free. Almost every other page has a bright picture with rich, deep colors. Most of the pages have prints to color in or add more color to. Each page has a hint of color corresponding to the pictures around it. This is a guided journal so there are questions such as "How would your best friend describe you?" or "What makes you unique?". The hard back cover makes it excellent for holding while journaling or drawing.

I love with the beautiful pictures and tinted pages. Each lined page has plenty of room to journal or write down lists and thoughts. The thick pages didn't bleed through when I used a heavy marker or gel pen. The drawings also inspired me to do a little doodling of my own. This would make an excellent gift, but I'm going to have a hard time parting with it. These books can be found at all of the retail sites I checked. Overall, I would say this is an excellent journal and can't wait to use it more.

I received a copy of this book from Fox Chapel Publishing. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Fox Chapel Publishing

Fresh Air

Fresh Air DVD

Often our lives need a breath of fresh air breathed into them. The speaker/author of this group Bible study experience has taken this concept and expounded on it with practical applications and Biblical principles to create a study that groups (or even an individual) can gain a blessing from.

This review is for the dvd. But it really doesn't work without the study guide, and works best if the book is being read in conjunction with the study materials.
The speaker on the dvd speaks clearly, is engaging, and sticks to the subject he's discussing. The lighting and camera angle are pleasant and the format setup of each lesson is easy to access. There are lots of texts that are provided on the screen. The speaker begins each session with some thoughts on the chapter being discussed and ends with prayer. Each segment is short and leaves room for the study guide discussion at the end. There are also videos included that are just for the group leader to view before each study. I found these to be very helpful in guiding the class. I used this in our small group and everyone enjoyed it enough that we've purchased another by this same speaker/author to use when we finish this one.

I received a copy of this dvd from Tyndale. All thoughts expressed are my own.